What international travel, if any, has been undertaken by the Minister or any member of the Minister's office since 27 November 2023, listed by destination, purpose, dates of travel, and total cost including flights, accommodation, and per diems? and 1 other question

Answer

For the period since 27 November 2023, I am advised that providing a detailed breakdown of international travel undertaken would require a substantial collation of information. This would divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I therefore consider that the time required, and the associated cost of answering the Member’s question in full, would not be in the public interest. I refer the Member to the publications section of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) website, which lists Cabinet papers relating to ministerial travel undertaken since 27 November 2023 here: www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications I also refer the Member to the Department of Internal Affairs’ website, which provides proactively released quarterly credit card statements and reconciliations for Ministers and Minister’s Office staff. In addition to the proactive release of credit card expenditure the Department is also required by legislation to publish Ministers travel expenses each quarter. These releases may include itemised expenditure relevant to the Member’s question found here: www.dia.govt.nz/Ministers-expense-releases